Richie Porte (BMC Racing) made up for his difficulties at the beginning of Paris-Nice with a spectacular stage win at Col de la Couillole, the highest ever finish of the Race to the Sun on Saturday.
While the Australian, who lost more than 15 minutes in the echelons, rain and wind of the first two stages, was no threat overall, Colombian Sergio Henao (Sky) made the best of the day’s three first-category climbs to finish fourth in the stage and take the yellow jersey away from Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step), who lost touch early in the 15-km-long last ascent.
On the line, 2013 and 2015 winner Porte won ahead of another revengeful champion, Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo), and Ireland’s Dan Martin, who also complete the GC podium.
Henao now leads Martin by 30″ and Contador by 31″ going into the final 115.5-kilometre stage in Nice which includes four categorised climbs including the Col d’Eze.
Here are highlights from yesterday’s stage.
Summary – Stage 7 (Nice / Col de la Couillole… by tourdefrance
